In a significant development for the Catholic Church in France, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline has been elected as the new president of the French Bishops' Conference (CEF). This election comes at a pivotal time as the Church continues to address the ramifications of widespread revelations.

Cardinal Aveline, aged 66, has been the Archbishop of Marseille since 2019 and was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis in August 2022. His longstanding service in Marseille, spanning over four decades, has been marked by a commitment to interfaith dialogue and pastoral care. Notably, Pope Francis visited Marseille in September 2023, underscoring the significance of Aveline's leadership in the region.

The election took place during the CEF's spring plenary assembly in Lourdes on April 2. Cardinal Aveline is set to officially assume his new role on July 1, succeeding Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort. Alongside him, Archbishop Vincent Jordy of Tours and Bishop Benoît Bertrand of Pontoise have been elected as vice presidents, forming a leadership team tasked with guiding the Church through its current challenges.

The French Catholic Church has been under intense scrutiny following the release of a damning report by the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (CIASE) in October 2021. The report estimated that approximately 330,000 children were victims within the Church in France between 1950 and 2020. In response, the CEF has implemented a series of reforms aimed at addressing these abuses and preventing future occurrences. These measures include the establishment of a national independent unit for recognition and reparation, the creation of a national canonical criminal court, and the sale of diocesan properties to finance compensation payments to victims. Additionally, the third Sunday of Lent has been designated as a day of prayer for victims of violence within the Church.

Cardinal Aveline's election is seen as a continuation of the Church's commitment to confronting the abuse crisis head-on. His extensive experience and close ties with the Vatican position him to lead the French Catholic community towards healing and reform. The challenges ahead are formidable, but the new leadership is expected to build upon the foundations laid by their predecessors to restore trust and integrity within the Church.